Dear Rock River Church,
In light of the recent executive order issued by Hays County Judge Rueben Beccera, we have adjusted our response outlined below. We want to be responsible and respectful toward each other and toward our governmental authorities as we continue to reopen. This includes us complying with recommended safety and sanitation guidelines until those recommendations are altered or lifted. We ask that our church family continue to consider one another with a spirit of graciousness and humility, thinking not only of ourselves, but of our fellow church family members who may have differing convictions and concerns surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic.
View the details below regarding our response to the pandemic.
We will continue our Sunday services at 11am, at the Hilton Garden Inn, 2131 N Interstate 35, San Marcos, Tx 78666.
Until further notice we will not be offering our kids program. Instead, kids will join us in the auditorium. We will provide an activity packet each week for children to use during service. Parents can also consider bringing activities (coloring book, tablet with headphones, etc.) to keep younger kids occupied.
We will continue to post the audio teaching online on our website on Sunday afternoons, after the morning service has concluded. We will continue this option until further notice for those in a higher-risk category, those showing flu-like or COVID-like symptoms, or those not yet comfortable meeting together in person.
We will plan to have team meetings as scheduled, following the same guidance as our Sunday services.
Continue to check the online service website, or listen for announcements during service as events are being evaluated on case-by-case basis.
Please refer to the Texas Governor's "Checklist for Church/Worship Attendees" for specific guidance on health and wellness while attending service.
Face masks are required at Sunday Services. Chairs in the auditorium have been spaced out to allow for safe distancing. Again refer to the checklist, or to the wellness practices that are posted in the facility.
We will have hand sanitizer stations around the auditorium, as well as facilities to wash your hands. All frequently touched surfaces will be sanitized before and after services. The auditorium chairs and surfaces will also be sanitized prior to service, and in between service and an event.
We will not be serving coffee or donuts before the service. We will removed all Bibles from under the seats, so please bring your own, or use our church app. We will not be passing baskets to receive tithes and offerings, but you will be able to use the black box on a table near the back of the auditorium. You may also continue to using online giving options as well. We will also refrain from hands-on prayer at the end of our services for the time being.
For those in a higher-risk category or those showing COVID-like symptoms, we encourage you to stay home and participate via our online service.
Small Groups
Due to the variation in our small groups (number of people attending, life-stage, childcare needs, size of meeting space, etc.) there is not a one-size fits all solution for reopening our small groups. Instead, each group leader will be working with our Lead Pastor to make the best decision for their particular group and needs. Please contact your small group leader for details regarding your specific group. Small group information is available on our webste, or in the mobile app.
Thank you for your patience, graciousness, and faithfulness through this abnormal season. I'm hopeful that this time apart has served as reminder of how good and faithful God is to us individually. It also can serve as a reminder of how important and helpful our church community is to our spiritual, mental, and emotional health.
If you have any questions regarding our response, please email info@rockriver.church.
Love you all,
Alex Dieckmann
Lead Pastor